Designed by the French company Exod, the Air Station POD-01 is designed to be a portable and inflatable housing solution. The home is inspired by the technology used for the powerful kite-surfing wings. The capsule can be inflated within five minutes, and it can accommodate up to four people. Tents are pretty quick to set up now, but they almost always include poles and elastic, and having to deal with the two. Exod is offering an easier solution that utilizes air to support the structures.
Designer: Exod
Currently, the company is taking pre-orders for the Air Station POD-01, which is essentially a bigger version of an inflatable hammock, and a one-person inflatable it had previously designed. The Air Station POD-01 is designed to serve as a comfortable and spacious shelter for your camping trips.
Much like its predecessors, the POD uses a frame system which is based on inflatable tubes. Exod said that the tubes “become incredibly hard and rigid at just 0.5 bar (7 PSI) of pressure.” The pressure is created through a hand pump, which will inflate the entire home within five minutes. The structure can be deflated and set aside within five minutes as well. When inflated, the POD occupies 4.2 square meters of floor space and has walls with a height of 5 feet. The walls feature big screened openings and windows which offer views of the surroundings. Storage modules can be attached to the air beams, to ensure the floor isn’t populated.
When the POD is deflated and folded down, it can be packed into a carry bag measuring 10 x 14 x 25 in. The bag is a bit heavy weighing around 18.7 lb, so this product is surely targeted towards car campers. Currently, the POD is at a discount if pre-ordered, and it is available in a black or white version. The first 10 units cost US$1,843, and the next 20 units will be sold for US$1,951. The final batch will be sold for US$2,060, after which the normal retail price will be US$2,710.
